Coco Gauff was taken aback when 18-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko defeated her unexpectedly at Montreal. Though Gauff expected a difficult match against Mboko after their prior meeting at the Italian Open, Mboko quickly and decisively won in just over an hour, leaving Gauff reeling.
Mboko’s performance against Gauff was nothing short of extraordinary, taking the first set 6-1 before going on to defeat her 6-1 and 6-4 for her maiden 1000-level quarterfinal appearance since Diana Shnaider did so three years prior – marking an historic achievement as she made history at WTA Montreal by beating Gauff, marking history by becoming only Canadian ever to do so and also becoming second youngest quarterfinalist since Gauff’s feat three years prior.
The match showcased Mboko’s impressive control from the start, effectively managing all break points against her while capitalizing on opportunities to break Gauff’s serve. Gauff, known for her resilience, found herself unable to counter Mboko’s strategy, leading to a performance that raised questions among fans and critics alike.
The reaction from tennis enthusiasts was swift and unforgiving, with many expressing concern over Gauff’s ability to tackle powerful opponents and adapt her strategy mid-game. The focus of many critiques was Gauff’s serve, which seemed to falter under pressure, contributing to her defeat.
Fans Criticize Gauff’s Performance Against Mboko
Discussions among fans took a critical turn as they analyzed Gauff’s game, pointing out the challenges she faced when up against strong opponents like Mboko. Questions about her serving technique were prominent, with fans highlighting her struggle with double faults throughout the tournament. The criticism extended beyond technical aspects, touching on Gauff’s overall approach and readiness for upcoming competitions, including the US Open.
The loss to Mboko not only surprised many but also led them to question Gauff’s current form, especially following her recent successes, including her French Open victory. As the conversation unfolded, some fans used humor to describe the match, while others offered more pointed critiques of Gauff’s gameplay.
Even after her defeat in Montreal, anticipation remains high for Gauff’s subsequent appearances and many are eager to witness how she will respond and adapt her game in future matches. Montreal certainly created discussion around performance levels as well as possible areas for growth for future appearances.
As this unexpected result settles down, tennis enthusiasts await with great anticipation how Coco Gauff will bounce back in her upcoming tournaments and hopefully return to form before competing at US Open this August.